United Voice News
In this issue:
3. Service Star graduate’s future is shining and bright
Dear Friend,
Since we launched Service Stars Community Jobs Alliance last October four groups of graduates have been trained and placed in decent jobs in hospitality and cleaning.
For many, it is their first job in Australia. That is incredibly exciting.
That shows our program is working.
It also shows that our unique partnership is effective.
Working with us on Service Stars have been churches, community groups, Victoria Police, reputable employers and leaders from the African community.
In other good news, after three years of campaigning and fantastic community support cleaners have had an historic victory in their Clean Start campaign.
Their new collective agreement will make their jobs and their lives a lot better.
Their victory is an inspiration for all low-paid workers. It shows the power of standing together and fighting for justice.
Thank you once again for your continued support.
We look forward to working with you to build on these successes.
In unity,
Cyndy Connole
Community Coordinator
LHMU Victoria
1. Cleaners win decent jobs
After three years of relentless campaigning, Melbourne’s office cleaners are celebrating new collective agreements that are set to make their jobs and their lives a lot better.
Through the Clean Start campaign cleaners have spoken out about their poverty wages, averaging just $300 a week, and impossible workloads.
The campaign won support from across the community, including Deputy Premier Rob Hulls who helped launched it and Bishop Hilton Deakin.
The new Clean Start agreement commences in July and will mean cleaners at Melbourne’s ten biggest contractors will receive significant annual pay rises.
It will also double their minimum shift-length to four hours and create fairer workloads and greater job security.
Cleaner Ana Arbizu is jubilant. She says the new agreement means than just money to her; it is also about fairness and respect.
‘The cleaner is always the lowest priority. But I think with this agreement people have to treat us with dignity and respect.’
Cleaners and their supporters faced many challenges during this historic campaign. Many said they could never win.
But cleaners stood together and made their voices heard.
Cleaner Philip Seddon said ‘it shows what we achieve when we stand together.’
‘We can make a career in cleaning now. What we put in is now being rewarded. We can go into work and it’s something to live for.’
Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women's Coalition’s Melba Marginson (top photo, speaking at a rally in September) was one of many community leaders supporting cleaners during the campaign.
‘It’s really, really great news.’
Melba said winning better pay and conditions for low-paid cleaners was ‘huge’. It would mean greater dignity and respect for their work.
‘It’s a big win for those who are involved in the cleaning industry and it will have repercussions for other industries where migrants and refugees are a major part of the work force. It will raise awareness that they have to be involved in their union to win better working conditions,’ said Melba.
LHMU Victoria Secretary Jess Walsh said the new agreement will turn office cleaning into a decent job.
‘Until now, basics like food, rent and petrol have been a struggle on a cleaner’s wage. Owning a house has been an impossible dream.’
‘But that is changing. This agreement means cleaners can start planning for their future, instead of living from week to week. They can give their families a better life.’
‘This is a huge victory for cleaners. They won because they stood together and demanded justice and respect.’
‘Cleaners thank the community for your support. They know how valuable and important it was to have you behind them.’
2. A good, clean fight
“A silent, usually invisible army of workers is demanding dignity”.
That’s how Melbourne playwright Michael Gurr’s begins his article in the The Sunday Age about Melbourne cleaners Jamal and Marie (pictured).
Read his article for a powerful insight into the working lives of this hidden workforce and their involvement in our Clean Start campaign.
Click here to read the article...
3. Service Star graduate’s future is shining and bright
Hodan Ali (pictured) is delighted to have started her first job in Australia.
Hodan, a Somalian refugee who arrived in Australia last year, is working as an office cleaner after graduating from the Service Stars program.
Service Stars trains and places refugees and other disadvantaged people in real jobs with decent wages and conditions. It combines the resources of the LHMU, refugee groups, Victoria Police and service industry employers.
The training gave Hodan the skills she needed to work as a cleaner.
‘I had no idea before, what’s the meaning of cleaning, but now I have.’
After graduating, she was placed in work with union employer BIC Services. She felt no nerves when it came time to start working.
‘I already take the training, and I feel happy.’
Tom Fotinos from BIC Services is delighted with Hodan’s work, and is looking forward to taking on more eager Service Stars graduates.
‘Hodan’s great. She’s a jewel. She’s really grabbing it.’
The company benefited from taking on trained, work-ready graduates.
‘I wanted to give people opportunities that come from another country that need work, and might not get the chance at other places,’ Tom said.
BIC Services has already introduced minimum four-hours shifts; a feature of the Clean Start collective agreement.
For this Flemington Estate resident the longer shifts will fit in well around her studies.
The Clean Start agreement will also mean a higher hourly rate and better job security.
‘It’s really good. Before I didn’t have that money and when I get that money I’m so happy, I can enjoy everything now,’ she said.
Having job security and a fair wages means she can plan for her future.
‘When I finish my certificate III for English I would like to do more study.’
4. Community notices
Wednesdays, from April 15 - May 27, 1pm-1.35pm.
Richard O'Brien presents a series of free lectures: The Problem with Christianity.
In this series Richard will be answering the most frequently voiced doubts people have concerning Christianity.
Please feel free to invite your friends to these events.
Scots' Church, Melbourne.
Corner of Collins and Russell Sts, Melbourne.
Saturday April 18
Scarred Lands And Wounded Lives: The Environmental Footprint Of War
The Union of Australian Women are showing this excellent documentary, together with David Bradbury's "All that Glitters is not Gold" - an 8min video about uranium mining and its hazards. MAPW's Vice-President, Deputy Chair of the International Physicians to Prevent Nuclear War, Dr Ruth Mitchell will speak. Mordialloc Neighbourhood House, Mordialloc.
Sunday April 19, 2pm-5pm.
Whitehorse Interfaith Network invites you to Taste of Meditation
Come along and experience a Sufi Meditation, Buddhist Walking Meditation, and the Christian Labyrinth. You will be guided through these meditations by qualified practitioners.
Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 Station Street, Box Hill (Mel Ref 47D11)
Bookings essential - places limited meg.rice13@bigpond.com
Sunday April 19, 3.30pm
Council of Christians and Jews (Victoria) presents: In the Biblical 'Sense'
Dr Yael Avrahami PhD
Toorak Uniting Church - 603 Toorak Road, Toorak
$10
RSVP ccjvic@bigpond.net.au
Sunday April 19
Pax Christi Victoria Inc.present A workshop in the spirituality and practice of nonviolence
Simon Moyle will lead in an Easter journey into how we can engage with the Powers and the Powerful in the light of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
- through Bible Study - Non violence theory - Workshop activity - Group discussion.
"Another world is POSSIBLE, another world is NECESSARY, another world is already HERE!"
Simon Moyle is a Baptist minister and theologian, he is the Director of the "Urban Seed" mission program of Collins Street Baptist Church. He has been involved in non violent protests against the "Talisman Sabre Joint Military Exercises"
Kildara, rear 39 Stanhope Street, East Malvern, 2pm
Finishing with a shared meal around 7.30pm. Bring food to share. All welcome.
Monday April 20, 6pm-7.30pm
Who am I as a citizen of Earth? Ecology, spirituality and the future
With Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black, founder of GreenFaith Australia and also the Jewish Ecological Coalition, Anne Boyd, founder of EarthSong, and Jacques Boulet, Head of the Oases Graduate School, based at the Augustine Centre.
Treacy Conference Centre, 126 The Avenue, Parkville
Bookings: earthsong@pacific.net.au
Thursday April 23, 7.30pm.
SHOAH Holocaust Memorial Service
Christians and all people of goodwill who, for the sake of the present, do not forget the past, are invited to gather ... to pray ... to repent ... the apologiese ... as we remember the destruction of six million Jews in the Holocaust, and thedestruction of something in our own humanity.
St Francis' Church, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
Friday April 24, 12-2pm.
Steve Bevans on "Doing Theology in Global Perspective: Personal Reflections" Interested in mission issues? You're welcome! Meet others, discuss a presentation and eat a light lunch together. Lunch is free but an RSVP is needed.
Stephen Bevans SVD is Professor of Mission and Culture at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and author of Models of Contextual Theology and (with Roger Schroeder) Constants in Context. Steve has just finished writing an introduction to theology in global perspective, and has published several papers on doing theology missiologically.
Dorish Maru College, 100 Albion Road, Box Hill
RSVP by Tuesday April 21 to Ross Langmead rlangmead@whitley.unimelb.edu.au
Nominations close April 24 for Rewarding Community Workers.
The Alcoa Foundation Community Worker Awards are designed to recognise the invaluable contribution to the nation's life made by the women and men working in community groups. The winner will receive $5000. It's easy to nominate someone who you know is doing a stand-out job working in the community sector - but you only have until April 24 to do so.
Click here to find out more...
Funding applications close April 24 for community groups with paid staff.
Community groups nation-wide have only until April 24 to get their share of a hot grant being offered by the Federal Government which aims to encourage community organisations and small businesses to implement practices that help employees balance their work and family obligations, as well as improve employee retention and productivity.
Click here to find out the conditions and to apply for a grant...
Monday May 4, 6pm
A Century of Prayer for Christian Unity
Edited by Catherine E Clifford
Launch by Ms Maureen Postma
St Paul’s Cathedral
Cnr Flinders and Swanston Streets
RSVP by Thursday April 30 to Glenys (9650 4511 or gfawcett@vcc.org.au)
Tuesday May 12,12.45-2.30pm
Discuss Bevans & Schoeder's "Constants in Context"
Professor Steve Bevans SVD will be there. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with the most significant mission theology text since Bosch's Transforming Mission.
Rear of Miss Libertine pub, 34 Franklin St, Melbourne (you can buy a meal)
Inquiries: Ross Langmead rlandmead@whitley.unimelb.edu.au
Sunday 17 May 3pm-4.30pm
Who am I? Spiritual identity in a secular society
The Jewish Museum of Australia, 26 Alma Rd, St Kilda, 3182
Saturday May 23-Wednesday June 3
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Reconciliation 2009
Prayer cards ($8 for 20) and Posters ($6) are available from the VCC office. Orders of service and daily prayer guides, as well as ideas for ecumenical sharing available on the link below.
http://www.ncca.org.au/departments/faith_and_unity/weekofprayer
Sunday May 31, 2pm-4.30pm
The Victorian Chapter of the Australian Church Library Association meeting.
The program will include: a tour of the archives and museum, led by the archivist and a discussion on resources for Difficult Times
The Salvation Army Southern Territory Heritage Archives and Museum
69 Bourke Street, Melbourne (between Spring & Exhibition Streets)
Enquiries to Rachel on 9850 4828 or Marion on 9803 0583
Monday June 15 & Tuesday June 16
Communities in Control Conference: CRISIS, CATASTROPHE, COMMUNITY: REBUILD, RENEW, RECHARGE
Community organisations are more important than ever in times of crisis.Moonee Valley Racing Club, Members Gate 1, McPherson Street, Moonee Ponds, Victoria
Click here to visit the website and register
Monday July 6 – Thursday July 9
6th Residential Conference of Jews, Christians & Muslims in Australia
Theme: Faith in a Secular Society
Conference Centre, Pallotti College, 80 mcnamaras Rd, Millgrove.
Contact (03) 9650 3294 or email jcmavic@yahoo.com.au for more information and an application form.
Wednesday August 12
INTERFAITH NETWORK TOUR
Many Faiths, One People: Tours of the places of worship in Greater Dandenong
Meet at Springvale Council Offices, $15.
Going to: Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha Gurdwara (Sikh)
Islamic Society of Melbourne Eastern Region
St Joseph's Catholic Parish
Chua Quan Thanh Temple (Chinese Buddhist)
Return to Springvale Council Offices 2.30pm
FURTHER INFORMATION: Helen Heath: 9564 8441/0408 571 483 helenheath@bigpond.com
Wednesday September 9
INTERFAITH NETWORK TOUR
Meet at Springvale Council Offices
Going to: Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple (Hindu)
Moorabbin Synagogue
Hoa Nghiem Buddhist Temple (Vietnamese)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel
Return to Springvale Council Offices 2.30pm
Wednesday September 30 - Sunday October 4
Creators of Peace Conference - a women's initiative
An international network of women committed to the pursuit of a radical peace where personal honesty and integrity form the basis of reconciliation. It specifically challenges women to discover their unique potential in creating a culture of peace in their homes and communities.
Join with women from around the word to enlarge our understanding of Peace as a dynamic and inclusive process that delivers justice, meets human needs and engages us all.
Collaroy Conference Centre, Sydney, Australia
For more infomation about Creators of Peace and conference updates see www.cop.iofc.org
For more information about the conference, contact the conference secretary: Prasanthi Hagare at conferencecop@au.iofc.org
Thursday December 3 - Wednesday December 9
Parliament of the World's Religions
WHO AM I?
Free public conversation series leading up to the Parliament of the World's Religions.
This series of ten monthly conversations will create public dialogue between people of different backgrounds and religious traditions.
Moderated by Penny Mulvey of Positive Media, they explore questions relevant to the upcoming Melbourne Parliament of the World's Religions and to our multifaith society.
